Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities – a special occasion that allows us to reflect on how far we have come with regards to equality.

Each year the United Nations develops a theme and in keeping with the recent adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the theme is “Inclusion Matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities,” which strikes a chord internationally as well as locally.

Broadly speaking, inclusion is the lynchpin that unites a spectrum of diversities and cultures, and it is the need for equal participation that has driven the development of policy, law and ultimately, our understanding as a community. Inclusive practices work to question and remove entrenched barriers so all the facets that go into making up a diverse community are treated equally.

For people with disabilities, the need for inclusive practices mirrors the needs of any other social movement that wants to participate equally in society.

What is important is to recognize that the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is about bringing communities together so that ideas can flourish in a positive environment that will nurture and sustain them.

Being a member of the Brock community positions us perfectly to do the same as we all have the opportunity to remove both physical and social barriers that impinge upon respect and dignity for our community.

In the spirit of the occasion, we can all be excited to see what developments and innovations will be fostered right here, in our own backyard.